Carrier configuration method, apparatus, central node, terminal node and storage medium

Abstract

This application provides a carrier configuration method, apparatus, central node, terminal node, and storage medium. The carrier configuration method includes: receiving a random access request via a primary carrier, the random access request carrying carrier capability information of the terminal node; sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment message based on the random access request, the RRC connection establishment message carrying secondary carrier information; receiving an RRC connection establishment completion message, the RRC connection establishment completion message carrying a carrier configuration success indication; and determining the secondary carrier configuration based on the carrier configuration success indication. This technical solution allows for rapid and successful completion of secondary carrier configuration during the RRC connection establishment phase of the terminal node access process, improving the efficiency of carrier configuration and thus reducing the startup latency of the secondary carrier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and for example to a carrier configuration method, apparatus, central node, terminal node and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Carrier aggregation (CA) technology is widely used in Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks to provide terminals with multiple continuous or discontinuous carriers, thereby aggregating them into a larger bandwidth. Typically, carrier aggregation consists of a primary carrier component (PCC) (which can also be a primary cell) and one or more secondary carrier components (SCCs) (which can also be secondary cells).

[0003] During carrier configuration, user equipment (UE) supporting CA needs to establish an RRC connection on the PCC and a connection with the base station (such as an eNodeB). Then, it adds or removes SCCs according to relevant measurement policies. After the base station enables CA, it sends A4 measurements to the UE, and based on the A4 measurement report reported by the UE, it configures the SCC for the UE via the RRC connection. Only then is carrier configuration complete. Therefore, the SCC configuration process is relatively cumbersome, increasing the SCC startup delay to some extent. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a carrier configuration method, apparatus, central node, terminal node, and storage medium to improve the efficiency of carrier configuration.

[0005] This application provides a carrier configuration method applied to a central node, including:

[0006] A random access request is received via the primary carrier, and the random access request carries the carrier capability information of the terminal node.

[0007] According to the random access request, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment message is sent, and the RRC connection establishment message carries secondary carrier information;

[0008] Receive an RRC connection establishment complete message, which carries a carrier configuration success indication;

[0009] The secondary carrier configuration is determined based on the carrier configuration success indication.

[0010] This application also provides a carrier configuration method applied to a terminal node, including:

[0011] A random access request is sent via the primary carrier, and the random access request carries the carrier capability information of the terminal node.

[0012] Receive an RRC connection establishment message, the RRC connection establishment message carrying secondary carrier information;

[0013] Configure the dedicated channels for the primary and secondary carriers according to the RRC connection establishment message;

[0014] Send an RRC connection establishment complete message, which carries a carrier configuration success indication.

[0015] This application also provides a carrier configuration apparatus, including:

[0016] The request receiving module is configured to receive random access requests via the primary carrier, wherein the random access requests carry carrier capability information of the terminal node;

[0017] The message sending module is configured to send an RRC connection establishment message according to the random access request, wherein the RRC connection establishment message carries secondary carrier information;

[0018] The receiving module is instructed to be set to receive an RRC connection establishment completion message, which carries a carrier configuration success indication.

[0019] The configuration determination module is configured to determine the secondary carrier configuration based on the carrier configuration success indication.

[0020] This application also provides a carrier configuration apparatus, including:

[0021] The request sending module is configured to send a random access request via the primary carrier, the random access request carrying the carrier capability information of the terminal node;

[0022] The message receiving module is configured to receive RRC connection establishment messages, which carry secondary carrier information.

[0023] The configuration module is configured to configure the dedicated channels for the primary and secondary carriers based on the RRC connection establishment message;

[0024] The instruction sending module is configured to send an RRC connection establishment completion message, which carries a carrier configuration success indication.

[0025] This application embodiment also provides a central node, including: a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the program to implement the above-described carrier configuration method.

[0026] This application also provides a terminal node, including: a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the program to implement the carrier configuration method described above.

[0027] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the carrier configuration method described above.

[0028] This application provides a carrier configuration method, apparatus, central node, terminal node, and storage medium. The carrier configuration method includes: receiving a random access request via a primary carrier, the random access request carrying carrier capability information of the terminal node; sending an RRC connection establishment message based on the random access request, the RRC connection establishment message carrying secondary carrier information; receiving an RRC connection establishment completion message, the RRC connection establishment completion message carrying a carrier configuration success indication; and determining the secondary carrier configuration based on the carrier configuration success indication. This technical solution can quickly and successfully complete the secondary carrier configuration during the RRC connection establishment phase of the terminal node access process, improving the efficiency of carrier configuration and thus reducing the startup latency of the secondary carrier. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a carrier configuration method provided in one embodiment;

[0030] Figure 2 A flowchart of another carrier configuration method provided in one embodiment;

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a carrier configuration process provided in one embodiment.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the activation of a secondary carrier in a star-shaped wireless network, as provided in one embodiment.

[0033] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a carrier configuration device provided in one embodiment;

[0034] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of another carrier configuration device provided in one embodiment;

[0035] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a central node is provided for one embodiment;

[0036] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal node provided in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The present application will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the application and not intended to limit it. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be arbitrarily combined with each other. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present application, not the entire structure.

[0038] This application relates to a star-shaped wireless network implemented using LTE technology, and to the provision of wireless bandwidth resources using carrier aggregation technology.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a carrier configuration method according to one embodiment. This carrier configuration method can be applied to a central node, which can be a base station, access point (AP), wireless transmission site, or network terminal equipment, etc. The central node can establish a wireless connection with terminal nodes and conduct service communication. The terminal nodes can be terminal devices with communication capabilities, such as UEs, mobile terminals, or user terminals. Both the central node and the terminal nodes support CA. The central node completes PCC and SCC network deployment during the power-on network deployment phase, and the terminal nodes complete SCC configuration during the RRC connection establishment phase of the access process.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the method provided in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0041] In step 110, a random access request is received via the primary carrier, the random access request carrying the carrier capability information of the terminal node.

[0042] In step 120, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment message is sent according to the random access request, and the RRC connection establishment message carries secondary carrier information.

[0043] In step 130, an RRC connection establishment completion message is received, which carries a carrier configuration success indication.

[0044] In step 140, the secondary carrier configuration is determined based on the carrier configuration success indication.

[0045] In this embodiment, the terminal node that supports CA searches the network and resides in the PCC. It sends a random access request (also known as an RRC connection request) to the central node through the PCC. In the random access request, it informs the central node of its CA support capability information.

[0046] Once the CA-supporting central node receives the carrier capability information and confirms that the terminal node supports CA, it sends an RRC Connection Setup message to the terminal node to notify the terminal node of the relevant information of the successfully deployed SCC.

[0047] Once the terminal node receives the RRC connection establishment message, it can configure the SCC. Specifically, it configures the dedicated channels on the PCC and SCC to the LTE data link layer (L2) or physical layer (L1) and sends an RRC connection setup complete message to the central node, which carries a CA configuration success indication.

[0048] Once the central node receives the RRC connection establishment completion message, the RRC connection establishment process is complete. Based on the CA configuration success indication, the central node determines whether the SCC configuration was successful. If successful, the central node and the terminal node complete the relevant carrier aggregation function configuration, and no further SCC addition or removal is needed. On this basis, the central node can directly activate or deactivate the terminal node's SCC based on specific conditions.

[0049] It should be noted that the above carrier configuration process occurs during the RRC connection establishment phase. Once the RRC connection is established, the SCC configuration is also completed.

[0050] The carrier configuration method of this embodiment can quickly and successfully complete the secondary carrier configuration during the RRC connection establishment phase of the terminal node access process, thereby improving the efficiency of carrier configuration and reducing the startup latency of the secondary carrier.

[0051] In one embodiment, the secondary carrier is in a pending activation state; the method further includes:

[0052] Step 150: Activate the secondary carrier for transmitting and receiving data.

[0053] In this embodiment, if the CA is configured successfully, the SCC is in an inactive state (also known as a deactivated state). Subsequently, activation operations are performed according to specific strategies, and data can be sent and received on the SCC.

[0054] Specifically, after the RRC connection is successfully established (i.e., the central node and terminal node have configured PCC and SCC), the SCC is in an inactive state. That is, the central node and terminal node send and receive services or signaling on the PCC, but the SCC does not perform services. In subsequent processes, the central node and terminal node can further activate and verify the configured SCC as needed to ensure the reliability of services.

[0055] In one embodiment, activating the secondary carrier includes:

[0056] Step 1510: Receive the Channel Quality Indication (CQI) reported by the terminal node;

[0057] Step 1520: Activate the secondary carrier based on CQI and traffic volume.

[0058] In this embodiment, both the central node and the terminal node support CA, have established an RRC connection, and have successfully added an SCC. The terminal node's physical layer monitors the SCC's CQI and reports it to the central node. The central node can determine whether to activate or deactivate the SCC based on the terminal node's service conditions and channel quality to meet different service application scenarios. For example, the SCC can be activated when the channel quality is good or the traffic volume is high, and deactivated when the channel quality is poor or the traffic volume is low.

[0059] In one embodiment, activating a secondary carrier based on CQI and traffic volume includes:

[0060] If the CQI reaches the first threshold and the traffic volume reaches the second threshold, the secondary carrier is activated; the traffic volume includes the downlink buffer occupancy (BO) or the uplink buffer status report.

[0061] In this embodiment, after the SCC is configured, the SCC is in an inactive state. If the downlink channel quality of the SCC reaches the first threshold and the traffic volume increases to the second threshold, the SCC can be activated.

[0062] In the DL direction, the BOS of the terminal node is cached by the central node, including the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and the amount of data to be sent to the corresponding terminal node cached on the modem side, in bytes. The UL direction is the BSR reported by the terminal node received by the central node. This value corresponds to the number of bytes to be sent cached in the uplink direction of the terminal node, including the data cached in the RLC layer, the PDCP layer, and the modem side, in bytes.

[0063] In one embodiment, activating the secondary carrier includes:

[0064] Step 1530: Send a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) message to the terminal node via the primary carrier to activate the secondary carrier;

[0065] Step 1540: After receiving the feedback message of the MAC CE message at the physical layer, the Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) acknowledgment information (ACK) is sent back to the media access control layer to activate the secondary carrier.

[0066] In this embodiment, the central node notifies the terminal node to activate the SCC via MAC CE on the PCC. After receiving the activation instruction, the terminal node's physical layer notifies the terminal node to activate the SCC via MAC, and then receives feedback messages from the terminal node. The feedback messages include HARQ ACK messages or NACK messages. If the central node receives a HARQ ACK from the terminal node, it indicates that the SCC activation is successful; otherwise, the SCC is not successfully activated, cannot carry services, and is still in a pending activation state.

[0067] In one embodiment, activating the secondary carrier further includes:

[0068] Step 1550: Send downlink probe data packets via the secondary carrier;

[0069] Step 1560: If an ACK response message for a probe data packet is received, the secondary carrier is successfully activated; if multiple NACK response messages are received consecutively, the secondary carrier is deactivated.

[0070] In this embodiment, during the SCC activation process via MAC CE, a carrier activation success determination process is added before using the SCC to send and receive data, to ensure that data can be successfully sent and received immediately after carrier activation, thereby improving the reliability of services on the SCC.

[0071] Specifically, after the central node's physical layer receives feedback from the terminal node that the MAC CE activation was successful, it sends a HARQACK to the MAC layer to complete the SCC activation operation. However, at this point, no scheduling is triggered on the SCC. The central node sends downlink probe data packets through the activated SCC (if activation is triggered by the UL BSR reaching a threshold, the DL BO has no data at this time, so an empty data packet needs to be constructed) to determine whether the current SCC channel condition can correctly carry services. If the central node receives an ACK response message on the SCC, it indicates that the probe data packet was successfully received, meaning that data transmission and reception on the SCC are normal, the SCC activation is successful, and service carrying can proceed. The SCC then enters normal service scheduling. If the central node receives multiple NACK response messages on the SCC, it indicates that data transmission and reception on the SCC are abnormal and service carrying cannot proceed, so the SCC is deactivated. Optionally, the central node can attempt to receive response messages multiple times. If the number of NACK response messages received reaches a threshold, the SCC is deactivated.

[0072] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0073] Step 160: If the CQI is lower than the first threshold or the traffic volume is lower than the second threshold, then deactivate the secondary carrier; wherein, the traffic volume includes the downlink data to be transmitted or the data to be transmitted in the uplink buffer status report.

[0074] In this embodiment, the activated SCC can be deactivated to avoid data transmission and reception errors for a period of time due to SCC activation failure. Subsequently, if the channel quality deteriorates or the traffic volume decreases, for example, if the central node determines that both UL BSR and DL BO are less than the corresponding thresholds, or the SCC SNR is less than a certain threshold, a MAC CE to deactivate the SCC can be sent on the PCC to stop the service on the SCC.

[0075] The configuration method for subcarriers in a star network carrier aggregation based on LTE provided in this embodiment can quickly and successfully configure the subcarrier SCC, reducing latency; and it provides a method for judging the success of carrier activation and deactivation, which can avoid data transmission and reception errors caused by SCC activation failure for a period of time, thereby improving the reliability of services on the SCC.

[0076] Figure 2This is a flowchart illustrating another carrier configuration method provided in one embodiment. This carrier configuration method can be applied to a terminal node that supports CA. It should be noted that technical details not described in detail in this embodiment can be found in any of the above embodiments.

[0077] like Figure 2 As shown, the method provided in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0078] In step 210, a random access request is sent via the primary carrier, the random access request carrying the carrier capability information of the terminal node.

[0079] In step 220, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment message is received, the RRC connection establishment message carrying secondary carrier information.

[0080] In step 230, the dedicated channels for the primary and secondary carriers are configured according to the RRC connection establishment message.

[0081] In step 240, an RRC connection establishment complete message is sent, which carries a carrier configuration success indication.

[0082] In this embodiment, the terminal node searches the network and resides in the PCC. It sends a random access request to the central node through the PCC and informs the central node of its CA support capability information.

[0083] Once the central node receives the carrier capability information and confirms that the terminal node supports CA, it sends an RRC connection establishment message to the terminal node to notify the terminal node of the relevant information of the successfully deployed SCC.

[0084] Once the terminal node receives the RRC connection establishment message, it can configure SCC, specifically, configure the dedicated channels for PCC and SCC;

[0085] The terminal node sends an RRC connection establishment completion message to the central node, which carries a CA configuration success indication. When the central node receives the RRC connection establishment completion message, the RRC connection establishment process is complete, and the SCC configuration is also complete.

[0086] In this embodiment, the carrier configuration method allows the terminal node to quickly and successfully complete the secondary carrier configuration during the RRC connection establishment phase of the access process, thereby improving the efficiency of carrier configuration and reducing the startup latency of the secondary carrier.

[0087] In one embodiment, the secondary carrier is in a pending activation state; the method further includes:

[0088] Step 250: Activate the secondary carrier for transmitting and receiving data.

[0089] In one embodiment, activating the secondary carrier includes:

[0090] Step 2510: Report to CQI;

[0091] Step 2520: Receive the MAC CE message activating the secondary carrier via the primary carrier;

[0092] Step 2530: Send a feedback message of the MAC CE message to the physical layer of the central node.

[0093] The feedback messages include HARQ ACK messages or NACK messages. If the central node receives a HARQ ACK from the terminal node, it indicates that the SCC activation is successful.

[0094] In one embodiment, activating the secondary carrier further includes:

[0095] Step 2540: Receive downlink probe data packets via the secondary carrier;

[0096] Step 2550: Send a response message to the probe data packet. The response message may be an ACK response message or a NACK response message.

[0097] In this process, the terminal node receives downlink probe data packets via the secondary carrier and sends a response message to the central node. If an ACK response message is sent, it indicates that the probe data packets were successfully received, meaning that data transmission and reception on the SCC are normal, the SCC is successfully activated, and service carrying can proceed. The SCC then enters normal service scheduling. If multiple NACK response messages are sent, it indicates that data transmission and reception on the SCC are abnormal and service carrying cannot proceed. In this case, the SCC is deactivated.

[0098] The following example illustrates the carrier configuration and activation success verification process:

[0099] I. SCC Configuration Process

[0100] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a carrier configuration process according to one embodiment. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the central node supports and enables the CA function, and the terminal nodes also support and enable the CA function.

[0101] (1) The central node successfully powered on and deployed PCC+SCC;

[0102] (2) The terminal node searches the network and resides on the PCC. Then, it initiates an RRC connection establishment request on the PCC, carrying a CA capability indication.

[0103] (3) When the central node receives the RRC connection establishment request, it determines that it supports CA based on the CA capability of the terminal node and its own CA capability. Then, it carries the SCC information to the terminal node in the RRC Connection Setup and configures the L1 / L2 protocol layer of the terminal node instance on the local end.

[0104] (4) After receiving the RRC Connection Setup, the terminal node configures its own L1 / L2 protocol layer according to the SCC information, completes the PCC+SCC configuration, and sends the RRC Connection Setup Complete message to the central node, which carries a CA configuration success indication.

[0105] (5) After receiving the RRC Connection Setup Complete message, the central node completes the RRC connection establishment and, based on the CA configuration success indication, completes the SCC configuration. At this time, the PCC can perform services, and the SCC configuration is successful and in a deactivated state, waiting to be activated and used later according to the service situation.

[0106] II. Carrier Activation Success Verification Process (Taking SCC Activation as an Example)

[0107] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the activation of a secondary carrier in a star-shaped wireless network, as provided in one embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, the central node supports and enables the CA function, the terminal node supports and enables the CA function, and the central node has successfully added SCC to the terminal node.

[0108] (1) The central node L2 receives a CQI reported by the terminal node that is greater than the preset first threshold value x, and the uplink BSR reported by the terminal node is greater than the second threshold value y, which satisfies the conditions for triggering SCC activation.

[0109] (2) The central node L2 constructs the MAC CE to activate SCC and sends it to the terminal node via HARQ ID m on PCC.

[0110] (3) After receiving the MAC CE to activate SCC, the terminal node L2 immediately activates SCC; at the same time, the physical layer of the terminal node feeds back the reception status of the MAC CE to the central node.

[0111] (4) The central node L2 processes the HARQ feedback message of the MAC CE on the PCC. If it receives an ACK response from HARQ ID m, it confirms that the SCC activation was successful. However, at this time, a downlink data packet needs to be constructed to test the data transmission and reception status on the SCC. Since the SCC activation is triggered by the UL BSR, there is no downlink data (DL BO is 0). Therefore, it is necessary to forge a downlink test data packet and send it to the terminal node on the SCC through HARQ ID n.

[0112] If the trigger is due to DL BO exceeding the threshold, then a probe data packet is directly constructed using downlink data (the purpose of the probe packet is to ensure that the channel quality can guarantee data transmission).

[0113] (5) If the central node L2 receives the ACK response of HARQ ID n on the SCC, it indicates that the data transmission was successfully received, that is, the data transmission and reception on the SCC is normal and can carry out services. The SCC will then enter normal service scheduling.

[0114] (6) If the central node L2 receives a NACK response for HARQ ID n on the SCC, and after trying the maximum number of HARQ retransmissions x, if all responses are NACK, it indicates that the data transmission and reception on the SCC is abnormal and cannot carry out services. The SCC will then be deactivated.

[0115] This application also provides a carrier configuration device. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a carrier configuration device provided in one embodiment. Figure 5 As shown, the carrier configuration device includes:

[0116] The request receiving module 310 is configured to receive a random access request via a primary carrier, wherein the random access request carries carrier capability information of the terminal node.

[0117] The message sending module 320 is configured to send a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment message according to the random access request, wherein the RRC connection establishment message carries secondary carrier information;

[0118] The receiving module 330 is instructed to be set to receive an RRC connection establishment completion message, which carries a carrier configuration success indication.

[0119] The configuration determination module 340 is configured to determine the secondary carrier configuration based on the carrier configuration success indication.

[0120] The carrier configuration device in this embodiment can quickly and successfully complete the secondary carrier configuration during the RRC connection establishment phase of the terminal node access process, thereby improving the efficiency of carrier configuration and reducing the startup latency of the secondary carrier.

[0121] In one embodiment, the secondary carrier is in a pending activation state;

[0122] The device also includes:

[0123] The activation module is configured to activate the secondary carrier for transmitting and receiving data.

[0124] In one embodiment, the activation module includes:

[0125] The receiving unit is configured to receive the CQI reported by the terminal node;

[0126] The secondary carrier activation unit is configured to activate the secondary carrier based on the CQI and the traffic volume.

[0127] In one embodiment, the activation unit is specifically configured as follows:

[0128] If the CQI reaches the first threshold and the traffic volume reaches the second threshold, then the secondary carrier is activated;

[0129] The traffic volume includes the amount of downlink data to be sent or the amount of uplink buffer status report data to be sent.

[0130] In one embodiment, the activation module includes:

[0131] The first activation unit is configured to send a MAC CE message to the terminal node via the primary carrier to activate the secondary carrier;

[0132] The second activation unit is configured to send a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) acknowledgment (ACK) to the Media Access Control (MAC) layer after the physical layer receives the feedback message of the MAC CE message, so as to activate the secondary carrier.

[0133] In one embodiment, the activation module further includes:

[0134] The probe unit is configured to send downlink probe data packets via the secondary carrier;

[0135] The response unit is configured to activate the secondary carrier successfully if an ACK response message is received for the probe data packet; and to deactivate the secondary carrier if multiple NACK response messages are received consecutively.

[0136] In one embodiment, the device further includes:

[0137] The deactivation module is configured to deactivate the secondary carrier if the CQI is lower than a first threshold or the traffic volume is lower than a second threshold; wherein the traffic volume includes the downlink data to be transmitted or the data to be transmitted in the uplink buffer status report.

[0138] The carrier configuration device proposed in this embodiment belongs to the same inventive concept as the carrier configuration method applied to the central node proposed in the above embodiments. Technical details not described in detail in this embodiment can be found in any of the above embodiments. Furthermore, this embodiment has the same beneficial effects as performing the carrier configuration method applied to the central node.

[0139] This application also provides a carrier configuration device. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a carrier configuration device provided in one embodiment. Figure 6 As shown, the carrier configuration device includes:

[0140] The request sending module 410 is configured to send a random access request via the primary carrier, wherein the random access request carries the carrier capability information of the terminal node;

[0141] The message receiving module 420 is configured to receive Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment messages, wherein the RRC connection establishment messages carry secondary carrier information;

[0142] Configuration module 430 is configured to configure a dedicated channel for the primary carrier and the secondary carrier according to the RRC connection establishment message;

[0143] The instruction sending module 440 is configured to send an RRC connection establishment completion message, which carries a carrier configuration success indication.

[0144] In this embodiment, the carrier configuration device allows the terminal node to quickly and successfully complete the secondary carrier configuration during the RRC connection establishment phase of the access process, improving the efficiency of carrier configuration and thus reducing the startup latency of the secondary carrier. In one embodiment, the secondary carrier is in a pending activation state;

[0145] The device also includes:

[0146] The activation module is configured to activate the secondary carrier for transmitting and receiving data.

[0147] In one embodiment, the activation module includes:

[0148] The reporting unit is configured to report CQI.

[0149] The transmitting unit is configured to receive a MAC CE message that activates the secondary carrier via the primary carrier;

[0150] The feedback unit is configured to send a feedback message of the MAC CE message to the physical layer of the central node.

[0151] In one embodiment, the activation module further includes:

[0152] The packet receiving unit is configured to receive downlink probe data packets via the secondary carrier;

[0153] The message sending unit is configured to send a response message to the probe data packet, the response message including an ACK response message or a NACK response message.

[0154] The carrier configuration device proposed in this embodiment and the carrier configuration method applied to terminal nodes proposed in the above embodiments belong to the same inventive concept. Technical details not described in detail in this embodiment can be found in any of the above embodiments. Furthermore, this embodiment has the same beneficial effects as performing the carrier configuration method applied to terminal nodes.

[0155] This application embodiment also provides a central node. Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a central node is provided as an embodiment, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the central node provided in this application can refer to a central node or a terminal node, including a memory 520, a processor 510, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor 510 executes the program, it implements the carrier configuration method applied to the central node described above.

[0156] The central node may also include a memory 520; the processor 510 in the central node may be one or more. Figure 7 Taking a processor 510 as an example; memory 520 is used to store one or more programs; the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors 510, so that the one or more processors 510 implement the carrier configuration method applied to the central node as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0157] The central node also includes: a communication device 530, an input device 540, and an output device 550.

[0158] The processor 510, memory 520, communication device 530, input device 540, and output device 550 in the central node can be connected via a bus or other means. Figure 7 Taking the example of a connection between China and Israel via a bus.

[0159] Input device 540 can be used to receive input digital or character information, and to generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the central node. Output device 550 may include display devices such as a display screen.

[0160] The communication device 530 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The communication device 530 is configured to perform information transmission and reception communication under the control of the processor 510.

[0161] The memory 520, as a computer-readable storage medium, can be configured to store software programs, computer-executable programs, and modules, such as program instructions / modules applied to the central node carrier configuration method as described in the embodiments of this application (e.g., the receiving module 310 and the sending module 320 in the carrier configuration device). The memory 520 may include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store the operating system and at least one application program required for a function; the data storage area may store data created according to the use of the central node, etc. Furthermore, the memory 520 may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage device. In some instances, the memory 520 may further include memory remotely located relative to the processor 510, and these remote memories can be connected to the central node via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, corporate intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

[0162] This application also provides a terminal node. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal node provided in one embodiment, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the terminal node provided in this application may refer to a terminal node or a terminal node including a memory 620, a processor 610, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor 610 executes the program, it implements the carrier configuration method applied to the terminal node described above.

[0163] The terminal node may also include memory 620; the processor 610 in the terminal node may be one or more. Figure 8 Taking a processor 610 as an example; memory 620 is used to store one or more programs; the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors 610, so that the one or more processors 610 implement the carrier configuration method applied to the terminal node as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0164] The terminal node also includes: a communication device 630, an input device 640, and an output device 650.

[0165] The processor 610, memory 620, communication device 630, input device 640, and output device 650 in the terminal node can be connected via a bus or other means. Figure 8 Taking the example of a connection between China and Israel via a bus.

[0166] Input device 640 can be used to receive input digital or character information, and to generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the terminal node. Output device 650 may include display devices such as a display screen.

[0167] The communication device 630 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The communication device 630 is configured to perform information transmission and reception communication under the control of the processor 610.

[0168] The memory 620, as a computer-readable storage medium, can be configured to store software programs, computer-executable programs, and modules, such as program instructions / modules applied to the terminal node carrier configuration method as described in the embodiments of this application (e.g., the request receiving module 310, message sending module 320, instruction receiving module 330, and configuration determination module 340 in the carrier configuration device). The memory 620 may include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store the operating system and at least one application program required for a function; the data storage area may store data created according to the use of the terminal node, etc. Furthermore, the memory 620 may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage device. In some instances, the memory 620 may further include memory remotely located relative to the processor 610, and these remote memories can be connected to the terminal node via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, corporate intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

[0169] This application also provides a storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements any of the carrier configuration methods described in this application.

[0170] The carrier configuration method includes: receiving a random access request via a primary carrier, the random access request carrying carrier capability information of the terminal node; sending an RRC connection establishment message according to the random access request, the RRC connection establishment message carrying secondary carrier information; receiving an RRC connection establishment completion message, the RRC connection establishment completion message carrying a carrier configuration success indication; and determining the secondary carrier configuration based on the carrier configuration success indication.

[0171] Alternatively, the carrier configuration method includes: sending a random access request via a primary carrier, the random access request carrying carrier capability information of the terminal node; receiving an RRC connection establishment message, the RRC connection establishment message carrying secondary carrier information; configuring dedicated channels for the primary carrier and secondary carrier according to the RRC connection establishment message; and sending an RRC connection establishment completion message, the RRC connection establishment completion message carrying a carrier configuration success indication.

[0172] The computer storage medium in this application embodiment can be any combination of one or more computer-readable media. The computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. For example, a computer-readable storage medium can be, but is not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media (a non-exhaustive list) include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, optical fiber, portable CD-ROM, optical storage device, magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. The computer-readable storage medium can be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0173] Computer-readable signal media may include data signals propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying computer-readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. Computer-readable signal media may also be any computer-readable medium other than computer-readable storage media, which can send, propagate, or transmit programs for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0174] Program code contained on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to: wireless, wire, optical fiber, radio frequency (RF), etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0175] Computer program code for performing the operations of this application can be written in one or more programming languages ​​or a combination thereof, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, Smalltalk, and C++, as well as conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as "C" or similar programming languages. The program code can be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In cases involving remote computers, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or it can be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0176] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0177] Those skilled in the art will understand that the term user terminal encompasses any suitable type of wireless user equipment, such as mobile phones, portable data processing devices, portable web browsers, or vehicle-mounted mobile stations.

[0178] Generally, the various embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while others can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, although this application is not limited thereto.

[0179] Embodiments of this application can be implemented by executing computer program instructions through the data processor of a mobile device, for example, in a processor entity, or through hardware, or through a combination of software and hardware. The computer program instructions can be assembly instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, status setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

[0180] Any block diagram of logical flow in the accompanying drawings of this application may represent program steps, or may represent interconnected logic circuits, modules, and functions, or may represent a combination of program steps and logic circuits, modules, and functions. The computer program may be stored in memory. The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), optical storage devices and systems (Digital Video Disc (DVD) or Compact Disk (CD), etc.). Computer-readable media may include non-transitory storage media. The data processor may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, such as, but not limited to, general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures.

[0181] A detailed description of exemplary embodiments of this application has been provided above through exemplary and non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adjustments to the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims, without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, the proper scope of this application will be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A carrier configuration method, applied to a central node, characterized in that, include: A random access request is received via the primary carrier, and the random access request carries the carrier capability information of the terminal node. According to the random access request, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment message is sent, and the RRC connection establishment message carries secondary carrier information. Receive an RRC connection establishment complete message, which carries a carrier configuration success indication; The secondary carrier configuration is determined based on the carrier configuration success indication; The auxiliary carrier is in a state of being activated; The method further includes: Activate the secondary carrier for transmitting and receiving data; Activating the secondary carrier includes: Downlink probe data packets are transmitted via the secondary carrier; If an ACK response message is received for the probe data packet, the secondary carrier is successfully activated; If multiple unacknowledged NACK response messages are received consecutively, and the number of such messages reaches a threshold, then the secondary carrier is deactivated.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Activating the secondary carrier further includes: Receive the Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) reported by the terminal node; The secondary carrier is activated based on the CQI and traffic volume.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Activating the secondary carrier based on the CQI and traffic volume includes: If the CQI reaches the first threshold and the traffic volume reaches the second threshold, then the secondary carrier is activated; The traffic volume includes the amount of downlink data to be sent or the amount of uplink buffer status report data to be sent.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Activating the secondary carrier further includes: The primary carrier sends a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) message to the terminal node to activate the secondary carrier. After receiving the feedback message of the MAC CE message at the physical layer, a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) acknowledgment message (ACK) is sent back to the media access control layer to activate the secondary carrier.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: If the CQI is lower than the first threshold, or the traffic volume is lower than the second threshold, then the secondary carrier is deactivated. The traffic volume includes the amount of downlink data to be sent or the amount of uplink buffer status report data to be sent.

6. A carrier configuration method, applied to a terminal node, characterized in that, include: A random access request is sent via the primary carrier, and the random access request carries the carrier capability information of the terminal node. Receive a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment message, wherein the RRC connection establishment message carries secondary carrier information; Configure the dedicated channels for the primary and secondary carriers according to the RRC connection establishment message; Send an RRC connection establishment complete message, which carries a carrier configuration success indication; The auxiliary carrier is in a state of being activated; The method further includes: Activate the secondary carrier for transmitting and receiving data; Activating the secondary carrier includes: Downlink probe data packets are received via the secondary carrier; Send a response message to the probe data packet, the response message including an ACK response message or a NACK response message; If the message sent is an ACK response to the probe data packet, then the secondary carrier activation is successful; If multiple unacknowledged NACK response messages are sent consecutively, and the number of times the unacknowledged NACK response messages are sent reaches a threshold, then the secondary carrier is deactivated.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Activating the secondary carrier further includes: Report channel quality indication; The primary carrier receives the Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) message that activates the secondary carrier. A feedback message for the MAC CE message is sent to the physical layer of the central node.

8. A carrier configuration device, characterized in that, include: The request receiving module is configured to receive random access requests via the primary carrier, wherein the random access requests carry carrier capability information of the terminal node; The message sending module is configured to send a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment message according to the random access request, wherein the RRC connection establishment message carries secondary carrier information; The receiving module is instructed to be set to receive an RRC connection establishment completion message, which carries a carrier configuration success indication. The configuration determination module is configured to determine the secondary carrier configuration based on the carrier configuration success indication. The auxiliary carrier is in a state of being activated; The device further includes: The activation module is configured to activate the secondary carrier for transmitting and receiving data. The activation module includes: The probe unit is configured to send downlink probe data packets via the secondary carrier; The response unit is configured to activate the secondary carrier successfully if an ACK response message is received for the probe data packet; and to deactivate the secondary carrier if multiple NACK response messages are received consecutively, and the number of NACK response messages received reaches a threshold.

9. A carrier configuration device, characterized in that, include: The request sending module is configured to send a random access request via the primary carrier, the random access request carrying the carrier capability information of the terminal node; The message receiving module is configured to receive Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment messages, wherein the RRC connection establishment messages carry secondary carrier information; The configuration module is configured to configure the dedicated channels for the primary and secondary carriers based on the RRC connection establishment message; The instruction sending module is set to send an RRC connection establishment completion message, which carries a carrier configuration success indication. The auxiliary carrier is in a state of being activated; The device further includes: The activation module is configured to activate the secondary carrier for transmitting and receiving data. The activation module includes: The packet receiving unit is configured to receive downlink probe data packets via the secondary carrier; The message sending unit is configured to send a response message to the probe data packet, the response message including an ACK response message or a NACK response message; if an ACK response message to the probe data packet is sent, the secondary carrier is successfully activated; if multiple NACK response messages are sent consecutively, and the number of times the NACK response messages are sent reaches a threshold, the secondary carrier is deactivated.

10. A central node, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor executes the program, it implements the carrier configuration method as described in any one of claims 1-5.

11. A terminal node, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor executes the program, it implements the carrier configuration method as described in any one of claims 6-7.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program is executed by the processor, it implements the carrier configuration method as described in any one of claims 1-5 or as described in any one of claims 6-7.

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